Serena StarTool RB VSAM
Record Backup for VSAM
VSAM files play a critical role in any MVS environment. Unfortunately, the size and structure of a
VSAM file makes it inconvenient and impractical to backup on a regular basis. Change Transfer Bullet
Points Many companies have to backup and transfer VSAM files with millions of records on a daily basis.
This is generally accomplished using the time and resource-consuming process of physically backing up 
files to tape and transferring and them to their designated location. These same companies are finding
that only a fraction of their VSAM data is updated each day.
Serena StarTool RB VSAM, Record Backup for VSAM, addresses these issues with its innovative fingerprinting technology that allows for record-level change detection. It identifies and packages all VSAM updates into a physical, sequential file. When files need to be restored, Serena StarTool RB VSAM simply applies the changes to a full-base backup of the VSAM file. Change Transfer can also transfer or transport this file to remote locations using standard utilities, such as NDM or FTP. Serena StarTool RB VSAM, then uses this single "change" file to update the remote VSAM files.
The Serena StarTool RB VSAM Solution
Serena StarTool RB VSAM is an intelligent VSAM backup and synchronization tool for MVS. It maximizes productivity for storage administrators and operations managers by making more effective use of the existing backup window. Serena StarTool RB VSAM reduces the daily back up by identifying and backing up only the changed data. Consequently, Serena StarTool RB VSAM reduces the resources necessary to back up data, and eliminates the unnecessary and unproductive time currently being spent by data centers.
Applications
Backing up and transferring multiple large VSAM files to a tape can be a time consuming and resource intensive task. If a production environment has a number of multi-volume VSAM files, each with millions of records, hundreds of tapes may need to be backed up on a daily basis. Since the number of daily updates is a small fraction of the total number of records, differential or incremental backups can dramatically reduce the amount of data to be transferred.
With Serena StarTool RB VSAM the entire process can be automated, reducing the human and system resources required. This process is accomplished using the BACKUP, OFFLOAD, and APPLY commands.
How It Works
Serena StarTool RB VSAM works independently or in conjunction with full-volume backup products such as IBM's DFDSS or Innovation Data Processing's FDR. Serena StarTool RB VSAM generates an initial VSAM environment representation based on the full volume backup. This representation is used in the subsequent backups, to detect records that have been added, updated or deleted. Depending on the user's requirements, Serena StarTool RB VSAM creates either an incremental backup or a differential backup. The incremental backup includes the daily updates, while the differential backup includes the cumulative changes since the full volume backup.
Parallel backups can be performed for multiple application groups, using a flexible command structure. Once the backups are complete, they are offloaded into a single file, the Change Basket. This Change Basket contains all the information necessary to update VSAM files at the disaster recovery site. This includes the allocation and population of files created since the full volume backup. Serena StarTool RB VSAM also creates and updates alter-nate indices automatically.
By utilizing the fingerprinting technology, Serena StarTool RB VSAM identifies which individual records have changed, regardless of how the changes were made (CICS, IMS or Batch Applications). Serena StarTool RB VSAM also detects newly defined VSAM clusters that match the data set patterns to be backed up.
VSAM File Transfer
Serena StarTool RB VSAM allows the easy transfer of VSAM files to remote systems. By creating a full backup of VSAM files, offloading them to a Change Basket, that is applied at a remote location, the VSAM environment is replicated. Serena StarTool RB VSAM automation greatly simplifies this process by handling the delete/defines internally. The capability of the Change Basket to store multiple VSAM files in a flat file allows the transfer of an entire VSAM application over any network. You may even want to use the Change Basket repeatedly to build VSAM data testing cycles.
VSAM Distribution
Serena StarTool RB VSAM allows the easy distribution of VSAM files to multiple remote systems. By creating a full backup of a group of VSAM files and offloading them to a Change Basket, files can be transferred and applied at multiple remote locations. Serena StarTool RB VSAM automation greatly simplifies this process by handling the delete/defines internally.